Shout the name "Jessica" down the hallway of my daughter's dormitory and it seems a Jessica will pop out of every other room.
I did not realize she would spending her life with the qualifying "Jessica C" or "Georgia Jessica" when I spent most of 1983 deciding on her name. How could I have known that 20 years later all three of her boyfriend's suitemates would also be dating Jessicas?
It was supposed to be HER name. I liked the flexibility of being able to go by Jess, Jessi or Jessica depending on the level of girliness she choose to exude. I loved the fact that no one else in the family had used the name. Obviously, many others came to the same conclusion without my consultation.
My given name, Judith, was very popular -- within my family unit -- shared by my mother and my favorite aunt. I still wince at childhood memories of those compelled to do bad Cary Grant imitations upon finding the three of us together. Judy, Judy, Judy.
Playing with the Social Security names database this morning I discovered that once again, my family was an anomaly. Judith never hit the big time outside of the Mohn clan.
In the 1940s "Judy" hit number 17 in popularity (as new mothers were likely humming "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"). But Judith is one of those names few babies start with and most women change before they make the big time.
By the 1990s there were twice as many babies named Diamond, Asia, Ciara, Zoe, Genesis or Jazmine with a Z compared to Judith. It ranked a whopping 417th on the most popular listing for the decade.
Thus, there was likely a subconscious need to give my firstborn a first name she could find on pre-personalized items.
Yet, our collective attachment to particular female names seems to be fading with each decade.
According to the Social Security website, Mary ruled from 1920 to 1946, ceded to Linda for 1947 through 1952, but took back the top spot again until Lisa stepped up in 1962.
Lisa held number one through the rest of the 60s, but Jennifer owned the 70s and held fast through 1984. Jessica picked up the torch in 1984 and held on until 1994 (surrendering 1991 to Ashley). In 1995 Emily took the crown and held it until 2003 when Emma took the title.
With Friends in syndication, I give Emma a couple more years. Madison and Hannah have been coming on strong in recent lists and could be the dormitory duplicates for the class of 2026.
In the next decade or so, my daughters could well be considering their own baby naming options. Considering my aptitude in the field, I do not expect to be consulted.